Antidepressants Questions and Answers Already Passed

Antidepressants Questions and Answers Already Passed **What categories do antidepressants fall into?** Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA), Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), and Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI). **How long before antidepressants start working effectively?** Typically, they start working in 2-3 weeks, with full effects often seen in 6-8 weeks. **What is the action mechanism of TCAs?** TCAs inhibit the reuptake of noradrenaline and serotonin, thus increasing their availability in the brain. **What is a significant risk associated with tricyclic antidepressants?** One major risk is that an overdose can be potentially lethal. **What are the usual side effects of TCAs?** Side effects commonly include postural hypotension, anticholinergic effects, increased heart rate, elevated risk of cardiac death, low blood pressure, and sedation. **What are TCAs commonly used to treat?** TCAs are used for depression, neuropathic pain relief, and treating bedwetting (imipramine). **When should TCAs not be used?** They are contraindicated in psychoses, seizure disorders, urinary retention, cardiac conditions, renal disease, glaucoma, and during pregnancy and breastfeeding. **What are some symptoms of TCA overdose?** Overdose can lead to excitement, delirium, convulsions, confusion, mania, cardiac arrhythmias, and sudden death from ventricular fibrillation. **How do MAOIs work?** MAOIs increase levels of noradrenaline and serotonin by inhibiting their metabolism. **What side effects are associated with MAOIs?** Common side effects include restlessness, insomnia, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, increased appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. **What happens in the case of an acute MAOI overdose?** Acute overdose can result in CNS stimulation and potential convulsions. **What is a significant problem with MAOIs?** The most severe issue is a hypertensive response to foods containing tyramine, known as the "cheese reaction." **How do SSRIs function?** SSRIs work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin. **What are common side effects of SSRIs?** Side effects include insomnia, anorexia, loss of